Next Man Utd signing hails ‘mentor’ Ten Hag and plots Champions League revenge on Man City
Soon-to-be Man Utd keeper Andre Onana in action for Inter Milan
Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana has said he will be an ‘Interista forever’ as a highly-anticipated move to Manchester United nears completion.
The Cameroon international is considered to be one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe and helped Inter reach the Champions League final last season.
David de Gea has big boots to fill at Man Utd, but Onana has been Ten Hag’s top keeper target for some time. The manager will no doubt be pleased that a deal is almost completed.
As reported by TEAMtalk, the Red Devils have agreed to pay Inter an initial €50m with a further €5m in bonuses. At an initial £42.9m (£47.1m after add-ons), Onana will become the third most costly goalkeeper of all time.
Onana left Ajax and signed for Inter on a free transfer last summer.
He has since made 41 appearances across all competitions for the Italian club. In the process, he has conceded just 39 goals and kept 19 clean sheets.
The attribute Ten Hag is particularly keen on, though, is Onana’s passing ability. This is something that De Gea has struggled with and the addition of the Inter star will allow Man Utd to play out from the back more effectively.
Onana pleased to reunite with Ten Hag
Onana has now given his reaction to his impending move to Man Utd. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia), he said: “I am feeling well, I recharged at home, in Cameroon and then I met my teammates at Appiano Gentile.”
“Now I am looking forward to starting this new adventure with a coach [Ten Hag] that is a mentor to me.
“I’ll join a big league and a big club with an enormous history like Inter. I’ll start from scratch and give my all every day to show the fans who I am.”
Onana will reunite with Ten Hag, who he knows well after playing under the manager at Ajax. As mentioned, Ten Hag has been pushing for his signature for some time.
The 27-year-old may have spent just one season at Inter but developed a connection with the fanbase.
“Leaving Inter means leaving a family, not an ordinary team. I learned that playing for Inter is a way of being and living life.
“It’s important to be honest and tell people the truth. I am a person who always wants new challenges. Playing in the Premier League for a club like Manchester United is compelling. All parties wanted to make it happen,” he admitted.
“If I had stayed I would have been happy anyway because I never had problems at Inter, on the contrary, there was a magic that is difficult to explain.
“I know I can travel around the world, but it will be difficult to find fans like those of Inter,” Onana continued.
“They gave me emotions that I will never forget. In some games, I had the feeling there were 80,000 people playing, not just 11. It was a privilege to experience it.”
Onana eyes Champions League success with Man Utd
Onana was then asked how he felt about his last game for Inter – the Champions League final – which the Italian giants lost 1-0 to Manchester City.
“Pride and sadness, you don’t know how much I’d have loved to bring the cup to Milan and celebrate with our fans,” he replied.
“We came close, we played against Manchester City keeping our heads high. I hope I can win the Champions League with Manchester United, but I also hope Inter will reach the Final again and win it. All fans deserve it.
“Perhaps, the most thrilling week was the one of the Champions League semis. The stadium was shaking. It was also nice to celebrate the Coppa Italia by singing and dancing with our fans. They call it ‘Pazza Inter’, I am a bit crazy too and it’s the best definition in the world.”
Onana is set to sign a five-year contract with Man Utd. But, he refused to rule out a return to Inter one day.
“Who knows, life is unpredictable. Perhaps, one day I’ll be back too,” Onana said.
“I am sure people will embrace me because they’ve known me. Meantime I’ll never stop singing a chant that I like so much: ‘For all the kilometres I did with you, Internazionale you must win.'”
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